NOVEMBER 4, 2015
Our Jealous God
The Lord,
whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.— 1 Exodus 34:14
Read:
2
Corinthians 11:1-4
In 2014 a University
of California researcher used a stuffed dog to show that animals are capable of
jealousy. Professor Christine Harris asked dog owners to show affection for a
stuffed animal in the presence of their pet. She found that three-fourths of
the dogs responded with apparent envy. Some tried to get attention with touch
or a gentle nudge. Others tried to push between their owner and the toy. A few
went so far as to snap at their stuffed rival.
In a dog, jealousy
seems heartwarming. In people, it can lead to less admirable results. Yet, as
Moses and Paul remind us, there is also another jealousy—one that beautifully
reflects the heart of God.
When Paul wrote to the
church at Corinth, he said he was “jealous for you with a godly jealousy” (2
Cor. 11:2). He didn’t want them to be “led astray from [their] sincere and pure
devotion to Christ” (v. 3). Such jealousy reflects the heart of God, who told
Moses in the Ten Commandments, “I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God” (Ex.
20:5).
God’s jealousy is not
like our self-centered love. His heart expresses His protective zeal for those
who are His by creation and salvation. He made us and rescued us to know and enjoy
Him forever. How could we ask for anything more than a God who is so
zealous—and jealous—for our happiness?
Father, help me shun anything that distracts me from You, so
that I may always find enjoyment in who You are and in Your plan for me.
God loves every one of us as if there were but one of us to
love. Augustine
INSIGHT:
Paul’s relationship with the church at
Corinth was a turbulent one. Paul founded the Corinthian church and spent 18
months there (Acts 18:1-18). Then he returned for another 3 months at a later
time (20:3). In spite of this significant investment of time and energy, the
Corinthian believers appear to have struggled with Paul’s authority and
position as an apostle, as well as his correction of them. His letters to the
church at Corinth are filled with evidence of his disappointment over their
testy relationship. Still, Paul’s love for them is evidenced by his desire that
they not be led astray by false teachers. Bill Crowder
Source: Our Daily Bread 2015